Visitor's Guide To Downtown Fort Lauderdale

There is so much to do in Fort Lauderdale. Not even a half hour from Miami, Fort Lauderdale offers plenty of comparable entertainment, outdoor activities and cultural pleasures with just as much beauty to behold as South Beach. The restaurants and bars within the city consistently receive top ratings, serving some of the most outstanding specialty dishes to satisfy the world traveler. Designers delight in showing off tropical clothing collections in exclusive retail shops and art galleries astound the creative connoisseur. The reflections off of the New River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other create a magical sparkle that shines upon the City of Fort Lauderdale, welcoming millions of visitors each year. To put it in clearer perspective,  Greater Fort Lauderdale has over 4,000 restaurants, 63 golf courses, 12 shopping malls, 16 museums, 132 nightclubs, 278 parkland campsites and 100 marinas housing 45,000 resident yachts.

Museum Of Discovery And Science
401 SW 2nd St.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312
(954)467-6637
Hours: Monday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m.
www.mods.org

Spending a day at the Museum of Discovery and Science in downtown Fort Lauderdale can surely be called a true family outing. There are amazing exhibits to mesmerize its audience such as "Living In The Everglades" and many interactive exhibits such as the newest "Wall Of Wind." Education will take on a whole new meaning as kids get to the bottom of questions such as "How are rocks and minerals interrelated?" See all the history behind fish fossils, prehistoric bones and the aviation industry. The Eco-Discovery Center, located on the first floor, offers its own set of adventures from a recreation of hurricane weather patterns to what Florida was like millions of years ago. Don't leave the museum without experiencing the much talked about IMAX 3D Theater. This gives guests the ultimate viewing experience with surround sound. TripAdvisor has awarded the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery And Science the 2016 Certificate of Excellence and that is just one of the many awards that the museum has earned since it opened. What a great way to spend the day.

The Fort Lauderdale water taxi with its nine on-off stops is the best way to experience downtown Fort Lauderdale and beat the heat. Spend an afternoon on the water taxi as you take the tour and learn all about the history of Fort Lauderdale. Cruise past the exclusive mansions of the rich and famous, also known as Millionaire's Row. Get off close to the popular Las Olas Boulevard to eat, drink, shop and be merry for a couple of miles. Get back on the water taxi after the day comes to an end and let the taxi take you back to the hotel, or close to it. Buy tickets online and save $1 per ticket. Adults pay $26, senior citizens (65+years old) and military personnel (with ID) pay $21, children (5 years old - 11 years old) pay $12 and children under 5 years old are free. Enjoy Moonlight Madness after 5:00 p.m. and pay only $16. Whether visitors decide to spend the day on the water taxi or use it as a means of transportation, this is the only way to go. The helpful and friendly staff will be eager to assist with any questions, suggest enjoyable activities to round out the vacation and give passengers other helpful tidbits of good information. After all, Fort Lauderdale is known as the "Venice of America" and the water taxi is your gondola to take you through paradise.

Eat, shop and enjoy downtown Fort Lauderdale in style. Las Olas Boulevard has made Fort Lauderdale famous for all of its cultural pleasures. There are world class events that take place along the boulevard such as the annual art festival which always draws record-breaking crowds. Check out the 12 international art galleries, over 30 highly recommended dining and bar options, 65 shops with one-of-a-kind eclectic merchandise, holiday happenings to leave visitors in awe and unforgettable nightlife. Ladies, spend a few hours at the spa on the boulevard being spoiled by pampering. Gentlemen, head over to the cigar bar to do some socializing while your lady lavishes the luxury. Many people opt for interesting people watching at one of the many sidewalk cafes. On any given afternoon or evening, live entertainment awaits. Admire some of Las Olas Boulevard's old-world charm and snap some photos of the old-fashioned lamp posts or admire the intricate Mediterranean architecture. There is so much to do and see on Las Olas Boulevard that it can easily occupy its visitors for days.

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If, by chance, the day becomes cloudy or rainy, the destination to head to is The Galleria Mall. This is the premier shopping destination for sophistication and style. Some of the hottest designers of the decade have stores in this mall such as BCBGMAXAZRIA and Michael Kors while Coach, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor are the familiar favorites. The high-fashion retailers include Neiman Marcus, Macy's and Dillard's. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something special taking place within the mall, attracting attention. Dining choices range from fast food at the modernized food court to savory choices such as Seasons 52 and The Capital Grille. Enjoy happy hour after a day of shopping at Blue Martini which is located just east of the main entrance to the mall. End your day with a luscious piece of Godiva chocolate or a pick-me-up such as a Starbucks Latte. The Galleria Mall is very conveniently located within minutes of downtown Fort Lauderdale. What a great way to spend an overcast day or to take time away from the heat of the sun.

The downtown Riverwalk District is one of Fort Lauderdale's finest displays of natural beauty. This lush tropical waterfront soothes the soul in a downtown center of an urban metropolis. Many who visit the city describe it as a setting where the local community can come together to enjoy the vibrancy of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Festivals and 5K runs are frequently held here, but, one of the most relaxing and tranquil ways to spend a Sunday morning is to head to the Riverwalk for Sunday Jazz Brunch. It all takes place on the scenic Riverwalk from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. Without fail, the first Sunday of every month, visitors and residents alike look forward to coming out with picnic baskets and blankets in hand and their furry friends in tow on leashes. Listen to the smooth sounds of talented local jazz artists looking to make your Sunday special. Sunday Jazz Brunch is sponsored by J.M. Lexus. This is the perfect answer to meeting new people and discovering new music under the clear blue sky with the waterway in the background.

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A longtime resident of Palm Beach County in South Florida, Hope Wilkos divides her passions between writing, fashion and scuba diving. With the gift of self-expression, Hope has used her writing skills to cover memorable events over the last five years and share that thrill and accomplishment with her readers. To achieve your goals, Hope strongly believes that you must "Follow Your Dream."